PlayStation and Naughty Dog have unveiled The Last of Us Part II Remastered, set to exclusively launch on PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024. This edition incorporates anticipated visual and performance enhancements, including 4K resolution and an unlocked frame rate option for compatible TVs with variable refresh rate support. Additionally, it introduces a new roguelike mode and other features.
On their blog post Naughty Dog says that “The engrossing campaign returns alongside technological improvements, new modes, and new behind-the-scenes features that will deepen your understanding of Part II’s creation.”
One of the most noteworthy additions to this remaster is a surprising new mode named No Return. Described by Naughty Dog as a roguelike survival experience, it is crafted to challenge players with randomized encounters and offers a fresh perspective on the game’s combat dynamics. No Return introduces diverse playable characters, some of whom make their debut in The Last of Us franchise. Each character comes with unique traits tailored to accommodate different playstyles.
“Players will chart their own course on each run, choosing between various stealth and combat encounters that will pit you against a range of enemies, with unique twists that can add new, unexpected factors to any given encounter,” a blog post reads.
In each playthrough, players have the opportunity to select their desired rewards, customize their character’s specifications, and more. With each session, additional characters and skins are unlocked, encouraging continuous play. Furthermore, players can personalize their runs and participate in a Daily Run featured on a global leaderboard, requiring an internet connection for engagement.
For those familiar with The Last of Us Part II, the playable guitar is a known feature. In this remaster, this aspect is expanded with a novel Free Play mode. This mode enables players to strum across a variety of unlockable instruments, utilize audio FX pedals to modulate their performance, and assume the roles of different characters in various in-game locations. This customization allows players to tailor the mode and ambiance of their musical sets.
A significant inclusion is the introduction of a new set of Lost Levels, offering players the chance to engage with playable sequences that were previously excluded from the game. Naughty Dog clarifies that these aren’t fully polished levels but rather early-development slices. They provide fresh glimpses into the world of Part II and come with embedded developer commentary, enriching the experience with additional context.
All cutscenes in the game now come with newly recorded director’s commentary featuring insights from director Neil Druckmann, narrative lead Halley Gross, and key actors such as Troy Baker (Joel), Ashley Johnson (Ellie), and Laura Bailey (Abby).
In the realm of remastering, Naughty Dog highlights that the new iteration of The Last of Us Part II boasts “enhanced graphics,” encompassing native 4K output in Fidelity Mode, 1440p upscaled to 4K in Performance Mode, and an Unlocked Framerate option for TVs supporting VRR. The enhancements also include increased texture resolution, extended Level-of-Detail distances, improved shadow quality, animation sampling rate, and more. Additionally, the remaster incorporates DualSense features such as haptic feedback and adaptive trigger integration, along with additional accessibility options like Descriptive Audio and Speech to Vibration.
The Speedrun Mode, originally featured in The Last of Us Part I (the remake), makes a comeback in The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Additionally, in this remaster, players can unlock bonus skins for Ellie, Abby, and their weapons, all of which are accessible in the newly enhanced Photo Mode.
For those who already own The Last of Us Part II on PlayStation 4, there is an option to upgrade to the digital version of The Last of Us Part II Remastered for a fee of $10.
